Practice Managers Given Helping Hand to Develop Careers
Vets4Pets has launched a new training course aimed to help and support colleagues across its group to become outstanding veterinary practice managers and team leaders.
A successful pilot of the six-month programme has just been completed in Maidenhead, with 11 people taking part in the trial.
The programme will now roll out across the UK, starting with courses in Bristol, Cambridge, Liverpool and York.
Vets4Pets learning academy manager, Alexia Seller, said: “We are really excited to officially launch our Practice Manager course after gaining really positive feedback from our colleagues who participated in the pilot. They just absolutely loved it.
“We know a practice manager’s role can be challenging so we worked with some of our more established practice managers and joint venture partners (JVPs) to develop a bespoke programme specific to our group.
“The course covers all topics we think practice managers need to gain a deep understanding of so they can be successful in their role.
“There is time between each module so they can take back what they have learned, put it into action and see the positive results.”
The course, which is split into seven modules, covers: personal insights and behaviours discovery, first-line management, finance; attracting and retaining talent, defining and managing commercial success, wellbeing, rewards and recognition, and internal processes.
Internal and external speakers will deliver each module, including leadership specialist Carol Carpenter who will be running the management module.
James Rogerson, a practice manager and JVP, will also be delivering part of the course. He said: “I understand first-hand the difficulties that can come with leading and managing teams in a very busy setting.
“I started as a receptionist at Vets4Pets Preston before moving into a practice manager role and then becoming a practice owner.
“I was delighted to share my experiences with the group to help them realise the importance of differentiation within our teams to truly promote inclusivity in an ever-changing world.
“I think this course is a great opportunity to give something to the future generations of this profession and to provide them with the help they need to develop and further their careers.
“I hope this programme will also create a great opportunity for practice managers to share knowledge and ideas and to support one another.”
Liv Grandy, practice manager at Vets4Pets Portsmouth, who took part in the pilot in Maidenhead, had this to say of the course: “It was a superb experience for a new practice manager.
“It reassured me that what I am doing is right and that everyone is going through the same experiences as me. I learnt so much and it gave us the opportunity to discuss all the different aspects of our role and day to day challenges.”
While head receptionist at Vets4Pets Eastleigh, Ella Tutton, said: “As a head receptionist, I can now aspire to be a practice manager with the confidence that I can achieve my goals.”